Discount Tire in Smokey Point, Washington replaced my RFTs with non-RFTs with no questions asked (see my previous post). It cost $7 a corner to have them re-build the TPMS and I've had no problems so far.

 

I'll second the Conti Extreme Contact DSW recommendation. I put 'em on my Mazda5 and love the grip and wet security.
If only the tire shops really knew enough to tell us when we're doing something stupid (and when we're doing something smart as well).

 

Discount Tire in Greer, SC put on the Michelins for me. But I do have a spare. Anyone know how common it is to have a spare?

 

Awesome. I about to order non-run flat conti DWS myself.

 

Awesome tire

 

You can't go wrong. I have had a set of conti DWS on my WRX wagon for a couple of years, and just replaced the RFTs on my R52 with another set of 205/55-16 DWS. Highly recommended for improved ride, cost savings and better handling.

 

I have a spare. Took me 8 months to realize I had one. It was in the "sub basement"

Made me feel better about replacing the RF's with Conti DWS! Dealership kept telling me I didn't have a spare, but it was an Executive Mini, so they really didn't know everything she came with...fun discovering though!

 

Glad to know you can still get a spare in a later model car (I have a 2004). I just like having one. The one time I used it, I grazed a curb and ripped the sidewall, and I just don't know how if Slime would have worked on damage like that.

 

The non-run flat DWS conti's are on my mini now... and I really like them. Much smoother ride and still handles great.

 

I have a 2008 Cooper S hardtop and I want to get rid of my run flats (2 are damaged right now so the timing's good). My current tire size is 205/45R17. Problem is I know nothing about tires and don't know how to convert that tire size/number into a regular tire size/number. I live in north central Texas so hot days some rain (torrential when it happens) and a little ice happen in my neck of the woods. I've been reading the thread but y'all know more about tires than I do! Recommendations for tires along with the tire SIZE would be most welcomed!!!!!

 

Tire sizes don't change between conventional and run-flat. Go to http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SearchTires.jsp and search for 205/45-17 tires. I run Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires on my mini and my WRX here in the Northeast.

 

XXX/XX-XX is the normal format for designating tire size. There's nothing to covert.

 

What in the world was Continental thinking when they made a run flat tire that could not be repaired? I bought a replacement set of ContiPro Contact SSR 205/45 R17 84V tires for my wife's 2007 Mini Cooper S at $318 each, not counting tax, installation & nsurance. Since then, a mere 8,000 mile later, I have had all 4 replaced due to flats. These punctures were with minor nails & screws mind you, incurred on major highways.
Items that the Michelin tires on my Mercedes Roadster tires shrug off with impunity.
Adding insult to recurring injury, each time, I had to have the tire ordered from Georgia as the major dealer, Discount Tires, never has the tire in stock. This seems a bit absurd, as there is a large Mini dealer located in Raleigh and the roads are awash with them. I can not express, in any decent language at any rate, the disappoint and sheer frustration I have endured with these tires.

 

Of course they can be repaired, and safely, as long as you're talking about normal punctures in the tread. When they say they can't be repaired, it's lawyers talking.

 

Most Runflat tires are repairable, including BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop,
Firestone, Goodyear, Kumho, *Michelin. However, Continental, Pirelli & Yokohma are not. *Michelin will allow only one repair.

 

I replaced OEM Dunlop runflats on our 04 MC with Kumho Ecsta 4X. Like the OP, I was concerned that I would lose some feel by giving up the stiff sidewalls of the runflats, but that hasn't been the case. Grip on dry pavement is much better with the Kumhos, turn-in is the same, ride is very slightly less harsh (OEM sport suspension plus). Very good in the rain, OK in light snow. TireRack bills the Ecsta 4X as a "value performance tire," so it's a natural for a "value performance car" like the MINI!

 

Just want to say this thread helped me quite a bit.

Had RFs on my MCS for 4 years and endured the pain of potholes, shitty city streets in SF and crappy freeways. Wish I has switched to non-RFs 4 years ago.
The ride quality is night and day difference and they non-RFs are QUIET. I went with recommendations on this thread for the Conti Extreme Contact DSWs. I've never enjoyed my car more.

 

yes: #1 MINI mod, get rid of the factory RF and enjoy the ride. Also get a spare if you dont have one or at least a mobility kit. 71102333675

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/71102333675/ES2714992/

 

Similar story here. Bought a 2012 MCS couple of years ago with original 205/45/17 RFT. A few days after purchase, spotted a nail in one. Thought, no big deal will have it patched. No one would touch it. $300+ later am on the road. A bit later, noticed a bulge in the sidewall of another tire. Another $300+, am on the road again. A year later, another nail and another $300+. Fortunately I wasn't ever stranded and was able to drive it to the tire dealer.

Today I stopped at Discount Tire and bought a set of four non-RFT. All 205/45/17 had to be special ordered. The tech recommended I bump up a size which is much more common. Sure enough, all 215/45/17 were in stock. I checked the specs on the difference in the size, the speedo will be off by about 1 mph. And oh by the way, the tires were just a shy over $100 each.

 

Actually, the speedo will be a bit more accurate as it overstates the speed with OEM-sized tires.

 

Hello, just bought a new 2015 4door cooper s (is this the F55?) with RFT. I did not see any spare tire or a lifting jack on the trunk. Owners of the same car, could you please verify if we do not have spare and lifting jack. Also, on my next tire I'm not planning on getting a RFT, do I need to get all the tire sensor adjusted sorry for this question I'm new to this RFT. Thanks for any help.

 

How about runflats for winter? Do they have a stiffer sidewall that helps compensate for downsizing rim size?

 

Runflats are not good for winter as they are very hard and don't flex well when you hit a bump. As far as ride goes.

 

The stiffer sidewall does negate the sidewall flex of taller profile non runflats.

The higher grip snow tires are not offered in runflat though.

The soft compounds that bring excellent traction are not compatible with the super stiff sidewalls.